U.S. patent application number 11/125878 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for anti-theft disc storage case.
This patent application is currently assigned to SENTECH EAS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Spagna, Richard J..
Application Number | 20050205442 11/125878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31714689 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spagna, Richard J. |
September 22, 2005 |
Anti-theft disc storage case
Abstract
A storage case (10) or receptacle used to secure discs (e.g.,
CDs or DVDs) used in rental or purchase applications includes a
housing (H) and a releasable locking assembly (40) that securely
retains a disc (16) within the housing. The housing includes two
housing portions (12, 14) that are sized and shaped to cover at
least an entire surface of the disc and are arranged to
substantially enclose the disc when in a closed position. The
locking assembly preferably comprises a pin and clutch arrangement
in which the pin or rod (34) passes through a pre-existing aperture
in the disc, but may alternatively be of any type in which one
member is inserted into another member to securely retain the disc
within the housing. In another embodiment, one of the housing
portions (12) includes a recess (201) and/or a collar (205) to
further inhibit unauthorized access to the pin.
Inventors: |
Spagna, Richard J.; (Pompano
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILLER NASH LLP
4400 TWO UNION SQUARE
601 UNION STREET
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2352
US
|
Assignee: |
SENTECH EAS CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
31714689 |
Appl. No.: |
11/125878 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11125878 |
May 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
10219171 |
Aug 14, 2002 |
|
|
|
6896133 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.2 ;
206/1.5; 206/310; 24/704.1; 70/57.1; G9B/33.011 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0427 20130101;
Y10T 70/5004 20150401; Y10T 24/50 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.2 ;
206/001.5; 206/310; 070/057.1; 024/704.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/57 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A storage case for a disc, the disc defining an aperture, the
storage case comprising: a housing including a first housing
portion and a second housing portion, the housing being arranged to
substantially enclose the disc when the first housing portion is
placed in a closed position with respect to the second housing
portion; and an assembly for retaining the disc securely within the
housing, the assembly including: a receiving member connected to
the first housing portion such that at least part of the receiving
member is substantially in registry with the aperture of the disc
when the disc is placed within the housing; and an insertion member
adapted to be placed into releasable locking engagement with the
receiving member to securely retain the disc within the housing,
the assembly being configured and arranged to require application
of an external, non-destructive, non-human force to separate the
insertion member from the receiving member after the insertion
member and the receiving member have been placed into locking
engagement.
2. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the disc is a CD or
DVD.
3. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the receiving member
includes a clutch lock comprised of a clutch body, a clutch cup
disposed in at least partial surrounding relationship about the
clutch body, a means for biasing the clutch body toward the clutch
cup, and at least one clutch element movable between a first
position and a second position, the insertion member including a
generally slender rod adapted to be positioned through the clutch
cup and into an interior channel defined by the clutch body, the
rod defining a notch in registry with the at least one clutch
element, the clutch body being movable between a raised position in
which the means for biasing forces the at least one clutch element
into engagement with the clutch cup, and a lowered position brought
about by the external force moving the clutch body away from the
clutch cup such that the at least one clutch element is caused to
disengage the notch in the rod, thereby permitting the rod to be
removed from the clutch body.
4. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the insertion member is
adapted to be placed through an aperture in the housing.
5. The storage case of claim 4, wherein the aperture in the housing
is substantially aligned with the aperture of the disc.
6. The storage case of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
receiving member and the insertion member passes through the
aperture of the disc.
7. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the housing further
includes a circular shoulder connected to the first housing
portion, the shoulder being adapted to receive in concentric
relationship the disc and the receiving member being centrally
positioned in an area substantially surrounded by the shoulder.
8. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the insertion member is
independent of and separated from the housing and the receiving
member prior to engagement with the receiving member.
9. The storage case of claim 1, further comprising an EAS tag
connected to the housing.
10. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured
and arranged to require application of an external, magnetic force
to separate the insertion member from the receiving member after
the insertion member and the receiving member have been placed into
locking engagement.
11. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the insertion member
comprises a head attached to a slender rod, wherein the second
housing portion defines an inside surface, an outside surface, a
recess in at least the outside surface to receive the head, and an
aperture located within the recess and configured to receive the
slender rod, the recess inhibiting access to the rod when the
insertion member is placed into releasable locking engagement with
the receiving member.
12. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the second housing
portion further includes a collar attached to and extending
outwardly from the inside surface, the collar surrounding the
aperture to further inhibit access to the rod when the insertion
member is placed into releasable locking engagement with the
receiving member.
13. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the insertion member
comprises a head attached to a slender rod, and wherein the second
housing portion defines an inside surface, an outside surface, and
an aperture configured to receive the slender rod, the second
housing portion including a collar attached to and extending
outwardly from the inside surface, the collar surrounding the
aperture to substantially inhibit access to the rod when the
insertion member is placed into releasable locking engagement with
the receiving member.
14. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the insertion member
comprises a head attached to a slender rod, and wherein the second
housing portion defines an inside surface, an outside surface, and
an aperture configured to receive the slender rod, the second
housing portion including a raised collar attached to the outside
surface, the collar surrounding the aperture to substantially
inhibit access to the rod when the insertion member is placed into
releasable locking engagement with the receiving member.
15. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the first housing portion
is hingedly connected to the second housing portion.
16. The storage case of claim 1, wherein each of the first housing
portion and the second housing portion is sized and shaped to cover
at least a portion of a surface of the disc.
17. A method for using a storage case to securely store discs at
consumer distribution facilities, the storage case including a
housing and an assembly for retaining at least one disc securely
within the housing, the housing including a first housing portion
and a second housing portion, the housing being arranged to
substantially enclose the disc when the first housing portion is
placed in a closed position with respect to the second housing
portion, the assembly including a receiving member connected to the
first housing portion such that at least part of the receiving
member is substantially in registry with an aperture of the disc
when the disc is placed within the housing, the assembly further
including an insertion member adapted to be placed into releasable
locking engagement with the receiving member to securely retain the
disc within the housing, the method comprising the steps of:
placing the disc within the housing; inserting the insertion member
into the receiving member to thereby secure the disc within the
housing; and when a consumer desires to acquire the disc stored
within the housing, applying a non-human, non-destructive, external
force to the assembly to separate the insertion member from the
receiving member.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: placing
possession of the housing containing the disc in the possession of
the consumer after separating the insertion member from the
receiving member and receiving consideration from the consumer.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:
retaining, by a consumer distribution facility, possession of at
least the insertion member during a transaction in which the disc
is placed in the possession of the consumer.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of inserting the
insertion member into the receiving member further retains the
first housing portion in the closed position with respect to the
second housing portion.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of inserting the
insertion member into the receiving member comprises inserting a
pin into a clutch body, and wherein the step of applying the
external force comprises applying a magnetic force to separate the
pin from the clutch body.
22. A method for locking a case used to store at least one disc,
the disc defining an aperture and the case including a housing, a
receiving member and an insertion member, the method comprising:
placing the at least one disc within the housing such that the
aperture of the disc is substantially in registry with at least one
of the insertion member and the receiving member; and causing the
insertion member to releaseably engage the receiving member so as
to securely retain the disc within the case.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: applying a
non-human, non-destructive, external force to at least one of the
insertion member and the receiving member to disengage the
insertion member from the receiving member, thereby allowing the
disc to be removed from the case.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/219,171 filed Aug. 14, 2002, which
application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this
reference, and claims the benefit of such application under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 120.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to storage receptacles, and
more particularly relates to storage receptacles adapted to house
articles such as compact discs ("CDs") and digital video discs
("DVDs") having an anti-theft lock associated therewith.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] In the leasing of CDs and DVDs to the public, it has become
the commonly accepted practice to store and display the CD or DVD
in a relatively inexpensive transparent or translucent plastic
storage case which may or may not also support or house and
electronic article surveillance ("EAS") tag or label. The CDs and
DVDs, by being placed on shelves in the retail-leasing
establishment, are exposed to and susceptible of pilferage. All one
need do is open the storage case which contains the valuable CD or
DVD and remove the CD or DVD and walk out of the establishment
undetected.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need for a locking CD or DVD storage
container.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,756 to Buzzard et al. discloses a
"keeper" for a package containing an article. The "article" is
disclosed as being a CD jewel case. The keeper prevents the package
from being opened, thereby preventing the article (i.e. jewel case)
from being removed from the package. However, the Buzzard invention
requires the provision of a complicated package and hinge assembly
thereof.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a CD and DVD storage and
display case which will prevent the unauthorized removal of the CD
or DVD but which is easily disabled by authorized personnel using a
simple detachment device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The instant invention is drawn to a storage case or
receptacle used to secure discs (e.g., CDs and DVDs) used in rental
applications. The case is comprised of a housing having a lid and a
base between which is removably positionable a disc (e.g., a CD,
DVD, or other optical disc) or the like. A releasable locking
mechanism retains the CD or DVD within the housing. The locking
mechanism may be of any type, such as some of the various security
tags commonly used in the electronic article surveillance ("EAS")
industry, but preferably comprises a pin and clutch
arrangement.
[0010] In order to use the invention, a CD or DVD, which is on
display in a rental facility such as a rental store, is housed in
the case of the instant invention. The locking mechanism is
preferably secured about the lid and base of the case. A
prospective renter, upon choosing his or her CD or DVD selection to
rent, picks up the case with the CD or DVD encased therein and
brings it to a checkout counter. The store employee, as part of the
transaction, accepts consideration for the rental of the CD or DVD
and disables the locking mechanism and any EAS tag associated with
the case. This allows the renter to leave the premises without
setting off any EAS alarms and open the case to obtain access to
the CD or DVD.
[0011] It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to
provide a CD or DVD storage case having an incorporated security
feature.
[0012] It is also an object of this invention to provide an article
storage case, the interior of which can only be accessed by
disablement of an integrated locking mechanism.
[0013] It is a further object of this invention to provide a CD or
DVD storage case which is compatible with industry storage, display
and vending standards yet which provides an anti-theft feature.
[0014] It is a still further object of this invention to provide a
CD and DVD storage case incorporating a theft deterrent feature
which can be easily disabled by an authorized person (e.g. store
employee) using readily available technology.
[0015] These and other objects and features of the invention will
be more readily understood from a consideration of the following
detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in
which corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding
numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view of the invention of
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an assembled cross-sectional elevational view of
the invention of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the area of detail shown in FIG.
3.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlargement of the area of detail shown in FIG.
3 with the locking pin removed.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a left, top, front, partially exploded,
perspective view of an open disc storage case in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front, top view of the open disc storage case of
FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8 is an assembled cross-sectional elevational view of
the disc storage case of FIG. 6 showing detail of the housing cover
of the case in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 depict one mode of
practicing the invention. It is to be understood, however, that
departures may be made in the specific structural assembly of the
invention without departing form the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0025] In general, the invention is a secure CD and DVD storage
case 10 comprised of a housing H which includes a top or lid 12 and
a bottom or lower housing half 14. Top 12 and bottom 14 may or may
not be hingedly associated with one another. When top 12 and bottom
14 are in the closed position relative to each other, i.e. attached
about their respective edges 13 and 15, a hollow inner cavity 16 is
formed within which a CD or DVD 25 may be stored.
[0026] Bottom 14 may (but not necessarily) define a raised circular
shoulder 18 adapted to receive in concentric relationship the CD or
DVD. In addition, a raised annular ledge, concentrically with
shoulder 18 but having a smaller diameter, may be provided in
associated with bottom 14 having a circular cutout therein for
purposes to be set forth more fully below.
[0027] A locking mechanism 40 is preferably utilized to retain
housing top 12 in the closed position with respect to bottom 14.
The locking mechanism may be of any configuration which will occur
to one of ordinary skill in the art. All that is required is that
it permit the releasable locking of top 12 about bottom 14 while at
the same time retaining the CD or DVD in association with the
housing H in a secure manner.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, but not by way of limitation,
the locking mechanism 40 is a pin and clutch lock arrangement which
employs a pin 32 having a flared or enlarged head member 33
attached to a slender rod 34 connected thereto. Rod 34 preferably
defines an annular groove 36 therein.
[0029] Pin 32 is adapted to be inserted into and releaseably
received by one or more locking elements 48 which are loosely
positioned within a clutch body 50. Clutch body 50 is preferably
constructed of a material or materials which is/are susceptible of
attraction by magnet. Clutch body 50 is in turn generally
surrounded by a clutch cup 46, which in turn is positioned within a
hub 42 attached to shoulder 21 and positioned through aperture 20.
A compression spring 52 is positioned in registry with clutch body
50 in such a way that it is sandwiched between clutch body 50 and a
spring retaining cup 54.
[0030] As best seen in FIG. 4, in order to lock the CD or DVD
within housing H, the CD or DVD 25 is placed upon shoulder 18 and
lid 12 closed about bottom 14. Rod 34 is then preferably passed
through aperture 38 defined by top 12, which is in registry with
corresponding openings in CD or DVD 25, hub 42, cup 46 and clutch
body 50. The tapering interior sidewalls of cup 46 cause locking
elements 48, which in the instant application are spheres made of
any suitable material such as metal or plastic, to be forced into
engagement with groove 36 due to the fact that compression spring
52 forces clutch body 50 upwardly against the force of rod 34 being
pressed there into. Spring receiving cup 54 may be ultrasonically
welded to bottom 14 and/or to hub 42, or is otherwise integrally
connected to bottom 14 so as to stay substantially fixed relative
thereto. The diameter of the upper portion of hub 42 corresponds
generally to but is slightly less than the diameter of the standard
aperture in CD or DVD 25. The diameter of the lower portion of hub
42 corresponds generally to the dimension of annular shoulder 21.
Lower portion 42' of hub 42 may be of any shape, that is, circular,
rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable shape and still fall
within the scope of the invention.
[0031] Once rod 34 is connected to clutch body 50, positioning a
magnet M below bottom 14 of housing H as shown in FIG. 5 will cause
clutch body 50 to be attracted by the magnet and overcome the
spring force of spring 50 and hence translate toward spring
retaining cup 54, and away from clutch cup 48, permitting locking
element(s) 48 to move radially outwardly in corresponding journals
51 defined by clutch body 50 relative to pin 34. In this way,
element(s) 48 is/are released from engagement with groove 36,
permitting pin 32 to be freely removed from clutch body 50. This in
turn permits top 12 to be removed and the CD or DVD 25 to be
removed from or placed within cavity 16.
[0032] Optionally, an EAS element 60 may be provided for added
security against unauthorized removal of case 10 from a secure
location such as a retail store. EAS element 60 may be any of the
known devices utilized in the EAS industry such as a radio
frequency ("RF") tag or the like.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment of the storage case 100, as
depicted in FIGS. 6-8, the cover 120 may include a recess 201 or
other depression in the outside surface 202 of the cover 120. The
recess 201 is preferably molded into the cover 120 such that the
recess 201 is positioned directly above the hub 42 when the cover
120 is closed. The recess 201 is preferably shaped to generally
correspond to and accommodate the shape of the pin head 33, such
that the pin head 33 rests within the recess 201 when the pin 32 is
engaged with the locking elements 48. Depending on the size, shape
and thickness of the recess 201, the recess 201 may not only retard
the outside surface 202 of the cover 120, but may also retard or
deflect the inside surface 203 of the cover 120. The recess 201
serves to substantially prevent and/or inhibit access to and
removal of the rod 34 by unauthorized persons when the preferred
locking mechanism 40 is engaged. For example, when the case 100 is
configured such that a pin 32 is inserted through an aperture 38 in
the cover 12 and into a receiving device, such as a clutch
arrangement 30, the head 33 of the pin 32 rests within the recess
201 when the pin 32 is engaged with the clutch 30. In such a
configuration, the rod 34 of the pin 32 is much more difficult to
access from outside of the case 100. Thus, with the pin head 33
resting in the recess 201, a prospective thief would have a much
more difficult time accessing the rod 34 in any attempt to cut the
rod 34 and steal the disc, as compared to when the pin head 33
rests flat on a horizontal exterior surface of the cover 120.
[0034] In addition to the recess 201, a raised collar 207 may be
employed on the outside surface 202 of the cover 120 to surround
the recess 201 and further inhibit unauthorized access to the rod
34. The inclusion of such a collar 207 may be particularly desired
when the comparative thicknesses of the pin head 33 and the cover
120 are such that a recess 201 alone may not adequately inhibit
unauthorized access to the rod 34 when the pin 32 is engaged with
the clutch 30. Alternatively, the raised collar 207 may used
independent of the recess 201 or other depression to provide a
barrier to the rod 34 when the pin 32 is engaged with the clutch
30.
[0035] As also depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover 120 of the
alternative embodiment may further or alternatively include a
collar 205 attached to the inside surface 203 of the cover 120. The
collar 205 is preferably molded into or otherwise attached to the
inside surface 203 of the cover 120 and preferably encircles or
otherwise surrounds the aperture 38 through which the pin rod 34
passes prior to insertion into and receipt by the clutch 30. The
collar 205 preferably extends perpendicularly outward from the
inside surface 203 of the cover 120 to inhibit access to the pin
rod 34 from inside the housing H when the locking mechanism 40 is
engaged. The collar 205 preferably extends about 1/8 to 1/4 inches
(about 3.2 to 6.4 millimeters) from the inside surface 203 of the
cover; however, the distance of extension may vary depending upon
configuration of the case 100 and selection of the locking
mechanism 40. The height of the collar 205 should be sufficient to
substantially inhibit and/or prevent access to the pin rod 34 when
the locking mechanism 40 is engaged and the two housing portions
120, 14 are pried open in any manner. The collar 205 is preferably
circular with a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of the
hub 42, such that the collar 205 surrounds a portion of the hub 42
when the preferred locking mechanism 40 is engaged, further
restricting unauthorized access to the pin rod 34.
[0036] It can therefore be appreciated that, in order to
significantly add to the theft deterrence properties of a case for
storing rental CDs and DVDs, the instant invention is employed. The
store employee simply exposes the underside of bottom 14 to a
magnet of sufficient strength to cause clutch body 50 to overcome
the spring force of spring 52 and move downwardly with respect to
clutch cup 46. Upon the occurrence of the foregoing, pin 32 may be
removed from clutch body 50. The employee can then simply place pin
32 in a drawer or other storage receptacle, where it will take up
very little storage space. The renter can then leave the store
(after any EAS tag 60 or label has been deactivated) and is able to
open housing H and gain access to the CD or DVD stored therein for
the purpose of playing it. Upon return of the case 10 with the CD
or DVD placed there within, a store employee need only replace pin
32 within clutch body 50, thereby locking housing H in the closed
position with the CD or DVD stored inside. The device 10 can then
be placed back on the shelf for display and subsequent rental to
another customer.
[0037] It is to be understood that the instant invention can be
utilized in circumstances other than rental transactions. For
example, the case of the instant invention may be used to store and
display CDs or DVDs which are for sale, and the apparatus and
methods disclosed herein apply equally as well.
[0038] Various modifications and alterations of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from
the scope and spirit of this invention, and it is understood that
this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set
forth hereinbefore.
* * * * *